Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-06


particularly advancing the grade for ad-
mission, will doubtless reduce the number
OF pupils for the next year or two; closing
the Preparatory Class will contribute TO the
same result The additional interest in
normal instruction, and the increasing de-
mand for trained teachers will, however,
keep the attendance pretty nearly what il
has been in previous years.
The liberal provisions made for supply
ing the school with additional illustrative
apparatus will make the work of the COM
ing year easier and more efficient, and some
good practical results are anticipated from
the establishment even Of q small mechan-
ical department.
The appropriation of one thousand
dollars year for the library will enable
Us to add greatly to the culture already
placed within the reach of our pupils. 1t
is q gratifying fact that the library is be-
coming a more and more important fea-
ture in the school, and its influence is be-
ing felt in the work of every class. 1t is
no small part of the equipment of a young
teacher that he has formed even a casual
acquaintance with a library of we'll Sc
lected books.
The two classes graduated during the
year-one, numbering forty-five. in De-
cember; and one, numbering fifty-three, in
Mayo out as the first complete result
of the changes made in our course of
study.
The additional work done in the
Training Department has made them, in
one sense, experienced teachers. FIVE
months observation, for which the pupil
is held strictly responsible, and five
months actual practice under judicious
and searching criticism, are worth more to
| the embryo teacher in the way of expert
ence than years of practice without super
vision.
The question constantly arises, "Where
are your graduates to find places The
State is already overcrowded with teach
ers." This question implies, if it does not
| assert, that the Normal Schools are send
ing out too many teachers.
For the surplus teachers, if such a sur
plus exists, the Normal Schools are not
responsible. The largest classes graduated
do not furnish two teachers per year to a
county, and this would hardly make good
the death rate, to say nothing of marriages
and other accidents. There are two other
sources which furnish large number OF
teachers.
There is constant influx Of teachers
from the East, drawn here by your charm
ing climate, or more often by the higher
salaries paid here. But the most prolific
source is the semi-annual county exami-
| nation. With from four to twenty teach
| ers licensed at each examination, it is not
strange that the ranks are overcrowded.
These candidates are usually prepared
| for the examination in grammar or high
schools, and sometimes in so-called normal
classes. Their preparation is likely to be
| for an examination rather than for teach
ing; but being at or near their homes they
secure positions, and often fill them to the
satisfaction of the patrons.
Although this state of things may seem
! TO work a temporary evil (by trusting the
education of children to unframed teach
ers), it is an evil that will, in the end,
remedy itself by working out the problem
of the Survival of the fttest" People
| are already beginning to find the difference
between trained and unframed teachers
and as this difference becomes more appa-
rent, trained teachers will be more and
more in demand.
LOS ANGELES NORMAL SCHOOL.
In 1881 the Legislature considered the
petition of the people from the southern
part of the State in a favorable light, and
made an appropriation of $4,000 for the
construction of suitable school building.
The citizens of Los Angeles made liberal
donation of grounds, and in due time the
school was in progress, with Professor Ira
Moore as Principal. Until the spring OF
1887 this school was known as a branch of
the San Jose Normal School, being gov
erned by the same Board of Trustees.
This system of management was found not
to work in the interest of the school, and
by action Of the Legislature last winter a
separate management was provided, except
that the Governor and Superintendent OF
Public instruction are ex o.liu members
| of each Board of Trustees
TRUSTEES AND FACULTY.
Under this new law the Governor re-
Gently made the following appointments
of Trustees for this State Normal School :
Byron Waters, San Bernardino; Clara
Foltz, San Diego; Hon. Stephen NJ.
White, George III. Smith, O. W. Childs,
Los Angeles.
The Faculty is composed Of the follow
ing experienced teachers: Ira Moore,
Principal; c. J. Flat, Vice-P Principal ;
Emma L. Hawks, preceptress Millville
Dozier, Harriet +. Dunn, Sarah p. Monk,
Miss H. j. Merritt, Miss Seaman, teach
| ers.
The school at once became a prominent
scholastic institution, and has continued to
grow in favor with the people of Southern
California, until the enrolment during the
| last term aggregated more than $50. The
| location is enough to assure it an era ol
prosperity scarcely second to that which
the San Jose school enjoys. We give an
admirable cut Of the school building in
| this issue.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NORMAL SCHOOL
A desire to advance the public welfare
and to do justice to the North as we'll as
the Central and Southern parts of this
great State, induced the Legislature at its
last session to make an appropriation OF
| $50, 900 for the institution of third Nor
NAL School and the construction of build
ing therefor, to be located, as was after
wards decided, in the beautiful town of
Chico, Butte county. The preliminary
steps have been taken, and before another
year this institution will be strong can
didate for public favor The sphere of
uSeiuineSS before 1t IS great, and with
proper organization and management will
prove wonderful addition to our school
! system in the northern portion of the
State: Recently the Governor appointed
the following as its Board of Trustees. all
of whom reside in Chico, viz: J. w. r.
Montgomery, Hon. John Bidwell, /. III.
Mcintosh, A. II. Crew, and +. c. Lusk,
who have the management and organize
tion of the school in their hands.
GENERAL PROVISIONS OF LAW.
The powers and duties of each Board
of Trustees are as follows:
First-To elect Secretary, who shall
receive such salary, not TO exceed $50
per annum, as may be allowed by the
Board.
Second-To prescribe rules for their own
government and the government of the
school.
Third-To prescribe rules for the reports
of officers and teachers of the school, and
for visiting other schools and institutes.
Fourth-To provide for the purchase of
school apparatus, furniture, stationery and
textbooks for the use of the pupils.
Fifth-To establish and maintain train
ing or model schools, and require the pu-
pills of the Normal School to teach and in